Southsea Lifestyle Feb / March 2022

February / March 2022

Southsea CELEBRATING 17 YEARS IN PRINT

Lifestyle

YOUR INDISPENSABLE GUIDE TO SOUTHSEA LIVING

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WORK IN PROGRESS

2013

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CONTRIBUTORS Kate Thompson is a Southsea writer with a passion for uncovering quirky human interest stories Neil Maxwell is director of Fry & Kent Estate Agents, and a volunteer crew member of the RNLI Charlie Smith has 20 years experience in Interior Styling, Charlie has styled and created beautiful homes in New York, Miami and London along with owning boutiques in New York and Surrey Daniel Nowland has loved food his whole life, and spent ten years working as the Head of Technical for Jamie Oliver. He is now the owner of The Southsea Deli and organiser of supper clubs, workshops and other food events in Southsea Southsea Lifestyle Produced by Salad Publishing Ltd Editor: Kevin John Dean Editorial assistant: Kai Austin Dean Creative Director: Zirrinia Austin Dean Social media: Urban Salt Web design: Daniel Sweeney

CONTENTS 8 NEW YEAR - CLEANSED SPACES CLUTTER FREE HOME 14 IS IT THE CART OR THE HORSE 16 THE ULTIMATE LOCKDOWN PROJECT 24 WHY OUTDOOR LEARNING MATTERS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN 26 DELIGHTS FOR WRITERS AT BOOKFEST 33 GRATITUDE IN ACTION 34 VICTORIOUS FESTIVAL 40 SAY CHEESE

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It’s bit of a cliche I know, but at the start of a new year it’s great to begin new beginnings. By focusing on plans for the year, no matter how big, or small, it can bring about a warm glow inside, even if it’s cold and grey outside! Charla Grant made plans in 2019 for her Grateful Arts Club, not quite knowing how things might pan out and how successful it might become, see p.33. Or maybe you have always intended to sort out your living space, to make it better organised and calmer - then check out interior designer, Charlie Smith’s top tips on decluttering your home (p.8). Sometimes we don’t need to declutter, but simply renew, and upcycle - see Kate Thompson’s regular Welcome Home column p.16. However you are beginning your year, we wish all our readers a very happy and successful 2022.

Kevin John Dean

CALLING ALL BUSINESS OWNERS

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Affordable advertising rates and a loyal readership, no wonder 75% of our advertisers have been with us for 2 years or more. Just request a media pack for our April/May edition.

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NEW YEAR – CLEANSED SPACES – CLUTTER FREE HOME

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iving in untidiness keeps our minds active and it visually reminds us, all of the time, that we have things to do. In studies it shows that the home owners of cluttered houses have higher levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Clear, cleansed spaces however allow our minds to relax and switch off and therefore create a far more harmonious home and living space. Here are a few tips of how to start the process of cleansing your home.

1. START NOW Procrastination is the enemy of clearing spaces – so don’t put it off. Start now! Break down rooms into sections and start with one cupboard, dresser, drawer at a time. Looking at the whole space can be overwhelming, so start small and work your way through in bite sizes.

2. ONE STEP AT A TIME

The best way to declutter your home is to take one small step at a time so it is far less daunting and more manageable. Combined, small steps will lead to big improvements. Approach the task methodically. If you only have an hour, don’t

empty your whole wardrobe. Instead, choose a section in the wardrobe that you think you’ll be able to complete. Another manageable task would be a chest of drawers or a single kitchen cupboard.

3. ENJOY IT Decluttering can actually be quite therapeutic once you get started. Think about how satisfying and rewarding your newly organised living areas will become. The satisfaction of opening a kitchen cupboard or a wardrobe and being able to find everything you need without hunting through all of your disregarded clothes and unwanted or out of date food.

Decluttering is incredibly liberating and will make you feel lighter and less stressed. Put on some of your favourite music while you're decluttering and help make it feel less of a chore. Have a think about how useful some of your unwanted possessions may benefit someone else.

4. CREATE THREE PILES AND HAVE 3 BOXES

Allocate your

belongings to three categories: keep, donate, and throw away. If you haven't used or worn something for

whether keeping the item will positively impact your life.

If it won’t, it’s time to let it go, whether you want to sell it or donate it. When we declutter, inevitably, we won’t need so much space to store belongings.

8. TACKLE SURFACES

Flat surfaces like coffee tables,

kitchen counter tops, desks and dining tables can be magnets for piling up your STUFF. Think of how you can organise all these everyday items so they’re not scattered around the house. Key racks, file boxes, rustic storage baskets, or ottomans are all useful for items that need to be kept to hand but are out of sight.

9. KEEP ON TOP OF IT

Clutter builds up. Even with our

best intentions, it's hard to keep on top of it all the time. If you can commit to regular mini de-clutterings and clean-ups it will be far easier than having to cope with a bulk operation in future.

10. CLARITY AND CALM

When our spaces are clutter

free and cleansed it enables us to switch off more easily, sleep better and generally soothes our health. more than a year – do you really need it, or are you just keeping it for the sake of it? Is it a treasured item? If you absolutely love the item, keep it and put it back in your space once you have decluttered. If not get rid of it or donate it.

5. QUICK START

A straightforward way to start is with

items that don't have any sentimental or practical value, such as old socks, make-up, toiletries and medicines that have passed their use-by dates.

6. HAVE A CHECKLIST

If you’re dithering over whether or

not to keep something, ask yourself a few key questions: Do I use it (or have I used it in the past year)? Do I like the way it looks and fits in with my decor? Does it work?

Is it the only one I have? Would it be impossible or expensive to replace? Does it have huge sentimental value? If the answer to all those questions is ‘no’, you can probably do without it.

7. DISCARDING OLD FURNITURE

When decluttering, it’s

Charlie Smith offers a CLEANSING YOUR HOME SERVICE. Please see her website for all the style bundles.

also a good time to think about clearing the decks of

www.bycharliesmith.co.uk

any worn or rarely used pieces of furniture. Consider

07770568307

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DESIGN HOUSE SOUTHSEA Offering a full interior design service, including curtain make-up, paint mixing, carpets, wallpapers and furniture

55-57 Marmion Road Southsea PO5 2AT

Tel/Fax 02392 838038 www.designhousesouthsea.co.uk Like us on

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5, Clarendon Road, Southsea

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alice and ivy f you want to put a spring in your step then head to

lamination gives brows the wow factor, with naturally

alice and ivy, the beautique in the heart of

fuller looking brows after just one treatment.

Southsea. Just in case you haven’t discovered them

yet, they’re a sanctuary for skincare, makeup and well being, based in Marmion Road.

As well as looking after you from the outside in, they are expanding their product lines to include skincare supplements from Advanced Nutrition

As well as stocking a fantastic range of beauty and

Programme to help you look and feel amazing from

skincare products, they are expanding their treatment

the inside out.

menu and are now offering express and deluxe facials and face workouts, using the skinSense range of products. With a focus on facial massage, these treatments will give your skin and your wellbeing a boost. And for February and March you can have an express facial for only £25 or try a deluxe facial or face workout for £40!

Owner, Zara Loughrey, explains why. “We want our clients to look and feel the best that they can, and this fantastic range of skin nutritional supplements improves overall nutrition, as well as targeting specific skin conditions and issues, giving incredible results. And combined with the great skincare products in store, you’ll feel as fabulous as you look.”

Keeley, alice and ivy’s brow whisperer, is also adding brow lamination to her services. Brow

To find out more about their new products and treatments, offers and events or to book an appointment head over to www.aliceandivy.co.uk 7 Marmion Road Southsea PO5 2AT @aliceandivysouthsea Like us on

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IS IT THE CART OR THE HORSE? Neil Maxwell

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022 has got off to a good start despite the end of the stamp duty holiday and the recent interest rate rise. The only thing really missing are houses to sell, the numbers coming in are still low and sporadic.

Early New Year sales have seen very high numbers of interested parties, with bidding competitive and we’ve worked hard to not only ensure our clients achieve the best possible price but the process is transparent for all parties.

This kind of pattern is a real problem for the housing market as it’s not so much an issue of putting the cart before the horse, in terms of looking for a house before you’ve sold your own. Rather a case of leaving the cart and the horse in the barn because there is nothing to look at and nobody knows you want to move.

The rental market has been equally active with large numbers of enquiries for virtually every property coming to the market. The challenge with such large volumes of enquiries is ensuring customer experience is kept to our usual high standards.

We’ve several clients who have been unable to find a suitable property to purchase. Their buyers have had to be patient and wait until they’ve been able to find a property or go into rented accommodation as a short term stop gap.

In recent months we have had many clients taking advantage of the good house prices and selling up completely, deciding to relocate overseas or in a recent case, downsizing to a camper van with the world at their feet (at the end of COVID restrictions obviously).

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In this highly active market the response we’ve been receiving from the ‘On the Market’ portal has been excellent. ‘On the Market’ have recently improved their website, providing a lot more functionality, and in my opinion, an easier to utilise search facility with much more useful information.

With COVID restrictions starting to ease and spring just around the corner, without wanting to sound like a broken record, there really hasn’t been a better time to sell your home, so do give us a call if you are thinking of moving and we can provide a valuation to help get the horse out of the barn before the cart.

WAVERLEY ROAD, SOUTHSEA - £800 PCM • One bedroom apartment close to Albert Road and within walking distance to the seafront.

• Newly refurbished and immaculately presented with feature ceiling paneling and original fire place.

• Modern kitchen and bathroom. Available now on an unfurnished basis.

• EPC Rating D

PELHAM ROAD, SOUTHSEA - £2000 PCM – NOW LET • Substantial 5 bedroom family home, immaculate condition throughout.

• Within walking distance to excellent independent and public schools and Southsea seafront.

• This beautiful home has been let on an unfurnished basis.

• EPC Rating D

WEST STREET, OLD PORTSMOUTH - £6500 PCM • Unique 4 bedroom home located on the cobbled streets of Spice Island, Old Portsmouth.

• Spanning 4 floors with over 4,000 sq. ft of accommodation including an aquatic fitness and hydrotherapy pool.

• This property comes with a double garage and includes an annex with a double bedroom and ensuite shower room. Offered on a furnished basis and available now!

• EPC Rating B

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THE ULTIMATE LOCKDOWN PROJECT Words: Kate Thompson

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hile many of us took to baking bread or painting with watercolour during the lockdown, Amanda Percival breathed life into a Southsea property that had lain empty for four years.

When they viewed it prior to successfully bidding for it in an online auction, Amanda and husband Trevor were instantly attracted by the house, which sits in a Conservation Area.

Amanda recalled: “It was our first experience of buying through an online auction – it was exciting but also very daunting as you only have so many days to come up with the money.

“But in the end we were really happy with the property we bought even though it was a bit of a mess as you can imagine.

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“Despite the fact it had been empty for four years, it still had a really lovely feel to it - it’s a very solid house,” she said.

It took a year to renovate the Victorian town house, working with local builders and transforming it from a 2.5 bed property, to one with 4 good size bedrooms (and an area that can be used for extra sleeping space).

“We worked with the builder on the basement which had been completely unusable. We thought about moving the kitchen down there but decided it would be a bit dark and so we made it into a bedroom with an additional sleeping area,” she said.

An old lean-to conservatory was transformed into a dining area leading off the kitchen, and the traditional small parlour or front room is on the same level.

Amanda has a degree in interior design and a real passion for heritage properties. She particularly likes Victorian colour schemes involving rich, dark tones and opulent fabrics and trimmings.

“I’m a great believer that you should work with the age of your home and reflect that in the interiors.

“We used Little Greene paint. It’s been around for years and while it might be a bit expensive, a little goes a long way,” she said.

“We bought pieces of furniture and I did them up through the lockdown. It takes a while to do it properly but it's something I really enjoy doing.

“I’ve sold quite a bit on Etsy – people in Germany seem to really love what I do. A recent purchaser spent more on the courier than the piece he was buying,” she said.

When she designed the spaces, she didn’t want any waste so instead of buying new furniture, she upcycled discarded old pieces. Most of the items were sourced in Southsea, and Brocante in Castle Road is one of Amanda’s favourite places.

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“I don’t like the way we consume as a society, we completely ignore useful, beautiful items and pieces that are much better made than most of the furniture on sale today.

“It feels like my Nan’s front room. We don’t have a TV in there so it is a room where you are forced to have a conversation. It’s the sort of room where you can just sit and watch the world go by – it’s really

“I like the stories behind old items and the details and work that’s gone into an item makes it very special. It would be great to see a stronger tradition of repair and reuse in the UK. I am a big advocate of the circular economy,” she said.

relaxing,” she said.

With hardly any original features left in the home, Amanda and Trevor sourced secondhand fireplaces, original coving, and ceiling roses.

The original fanlight above the front door had been covered in, leaving the hallway much darker than it would have been originally.

“We got a chippy to make us a frame and got it glazed with the house number included,” said Amanda.

When asked to choose which is her favourite room, Amanda barely misses a beat when she declares it is the parlour that has touched her heart.

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Until her children fly the nest, Amanda and Trevor only spend part of their time in the Victorian townhouse and the rest of the time it is rented out through AirBnB and Plum Guide. https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/53579509?source_ impression_id=p3_1641920555_5PPal58YrmlXgby5

Southsea Lifestyle

Helping local businesses grow for the past 17 years If you would like to join them, ask for our media pack today info@southsealifestyle.com

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FROM DIY EXPERT TO PROPERTY PORTFOLIO HOLDER…

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hen it comes to explaining what Chinneck Shaw is all about, James McGuire’s story sums it up perfectly.

Back in June 2021 James bought a house in Kingsley Road, Southsea that was being marketed

by Chinneck Shaw.

Having honed his renovating skills buying and selling homes where he himself lived, James decided to start buying homes to let with the aim of building a property portfolio.

The property in Kingsley Road was his second acquisition and as you can see from the before and after pictures, he didn’t skimp when it came to making the three bedroom property into

a truly desirable family home.

“I did half the work myself and my friend who has a building company helped me with major works like knocking walls down.

“When I bought the house, I could see the potential. I used to live on the next road up and I knew the area well. I knew it was a nice place to live with schools and a park nearby and only a short distance from the beach.

“It had the potential to deliver the

I renovated the first one and sold that and then did that a few times until I built up a substantial fund when I sold my house in Drayton.

“That allowed me to invest in the Kingsley Road property and I’m now on the lookout for more properties,” he said.

The major renovations at Kingsley Road included knocking through the dining room into the small kitchen and moving the back door to allow a window to be added.

on his property portfolio.

“I’ve done up quite a few houses but never one that was quite as rundown as Kingsley Road was when I started. I must admit I did get quite a kick out of seeing the transformation,” he said.

“I started off with my own houses.

James was so pleased with the

most profit and to make a nice family home,” James explained.

He comes from an electrical background and now works full-time

BEFORE

AFTER

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BEFORE

AFTER

AFTER

service he received from Chinneck Shaw when he was buying the property in Kingsley Road, he decided to use the agency to manage his property portfolio.

“They are the best estate agents I have ever dealt with – I get along with them all so well.

“That’s why I asked them to manage my properties and to help me find tenants for my houses.

BEFORE

“With the rental market being what it is, finding tenants for my two houses has been straightforward and they seem to appreciate the work that has been done to make sure they have nice homes to rent.

proud to be working with James

“I’m doing this for the long-term.

I don’t want to have to work until I’m 70. When it comes to my retirement, if I can get half a dozen properties that then allow me to chill out somewhere with a glass of sangria, then that’s what I want to be doing when I reach a certain age,” he said.

"The transformation of Kingsley

Chinneck Shaw Property Manager, Joe Rocks, said: “We are really

them to ensure their property

and to share in this journey with him, from him buying a property and seeing the progress as he renovated it, right through to the end result and us finding him a tenant.

Road was really something that had to be seen to be believed. James worked really hard and the quality of work and attention to detail is amazing. It really paid off and a tenant was found quickly. As managing agents we share the values of our clients and work with portfolio’s achieve the best results.”

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WHY OUTDOOR LEARNING MATTERS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN

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he Early Years are a wonderful time for instilling a lifelong love of learning and building up experiences within an enabling and stimulating environment. It is a time for creating new relationships and friendships and enjoying being part of the school community.

Every child is unique and outdoor learning provides the perfect opportunity for the learner to be placed at the heart of the learning experience. It is truly wonderful to observe the excitement that is generated when pupils are actively engaged with their outdoor environment. Outdoor lessons can support all areas of the curriculum and, with the correct clothing, can take place in all weathers.

and knowledge of the world they are living in.

Challenges become fun problems to solve rather than being perceived as a difficulty that cannot be overcome.

Through positive relationships with educators and the outdoor environment, outdoor learning in all its forms supports the development of resilient, capable, confident and self-assured pupils who learn to be strong and independent learners.

Outdoor learning opportunities should be a regular part of a child’s day, not just a weekly activity, and it is the perfect opportunity to encourage children to build their grit and resilience. For children of school age, it is important that learning is able to flow between the indoor and outdoor environments and pupils are encouraged to build on their own interests.

Children can be supported to develop their decision making, independence, and confidence, through a wide range of activities and challenges encompassing problem solving, reasoning, and numerical tasks, along with opportunities to develop communication skills between both peers and adults. Children can test out ideas and take risks within a secure and safe environment while learning by doing and building on skills and developing their sense 24

Mrs Victoria Fabre De La Grange Head of Early Years Portsmouth High Prep and Pre-School

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DELIGHTS FOR WRITERS AT BOOKFEST Novelist William Sutton previews Bookfest’s writing events.

For full listings see https://librariesandarchives.portsmouth.gov.uk/public-library-service/whats-on/events/portsmouth-bookfest-2022/

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riting is a solitary pastime: if you write, you’ll know how much we need encouragement. Portsmouth Bookfest 2022 21 February-13 March is packed with events for writers (and readers).

Workshop’ (9–11). Becci Louise invites 10–14year-old environmentalists to create ‘Octopus Medicine’ poems and art.

There’s a bonanza of advice for fiction writers, whether beginning your novel or selling it.

Wendy Metcalfe advises on ‘Writing a sparkling first page’. Everyone needs to learn ‘How to Edit Your Writing’: in this constructive online group, two authors post excerpts to be pruned into shape.

‘Speak Up’ encourages writers to read confidently. These friendly workshops help you to engage audiences. Exploring our city’s different histories, ‘Diverse voices’ is a free workshop/performance.

The range of events is amazing. Artist Kim Edith leads a Zine Making Workshop: create narratives with words and pictures in ‘Storytelling through Portsmouth Museums collection’. Ever wanted to write a film? Book in advance for ‘Wave Makers’ at your local library. “No experience required,” says screenwriter Matt Wingett, “just an aspiration to be creative with words.”

In ‘Transmedia storytelling’ workshop, writers with too much imagination learn interdisciplinary collaborative skills. ‘Off the Shelf Poetry Masterclass’ invites you to submit work to award-winning poets Denise Bennett and Maggie Sawkins. Discuss your poems at ‘Poetry Corner’ with Tina MacNaughton.

Children create characters with author Shelagh Moore in ‘Storytime’ (ages 5–7) and ‘Writing 26

To get you started, five novelists offer ‘Tips for aspiring authors – from the horses’ mouths’.

Don’t postpone signing up for ‘Writing for Procrastinators’; two of last year’s attendees already have books out. Congratulations!

Once your novel’s polished, ‘Pitch and Punt’ it with award-winning writer Lucy Flannery. Publicist Esther Harris and scout Naomi Tongue reveal ‘What do Literary Scouts do?’ The effervescent Scott Pack shares insider knowledge: Tips from a Publisher explores writers’ mistakes in submitting.

Loree Westron

AUTHOR LOREE WESTRON WRITES: David Lammy

For readers, David Lammy MP’s Tribes explores our compulsion to belong. “He interrogates polarisation, tribalism and identity politics… blending memoir with shrewd analysis.” (Independent) Mohsin Zaidi’s award-winning memoir A Dutiful Boy explores diversity and inclusion, mental health and justice.

‘Around the world in 10 books’ is always enlightening. ‘View from the Hill’ illuminates folklore, flora and fauna. Local crime writer and raconteur Pete Adams proposes ‘A funny way of being serious’. Full-day Mystery Fest hosts bestsellers Leigh Russell, Linda Regan and Jeff Dowson alongside local stars Christine Lawrence, Chris Blackwater and Carol Westron. And lots more besides: Google ‘Portsmouth Bookfest’.

For more details check the website. @PompeyBookFest PortsmouthLibraries Tickets eventbrite.co.uk/e/portsmouthbookfest-2022-tickets-209159992167 Edit Your Writing & Writing for Procrastinators: william-sutton.co.uk/events

I’ll be joining Helen Salsbury and Christine Lawrence, discussing ‘A funny thing happened while I was researching my novel’. Each of us has written a novel set in ‘near history’. We’ll discuss using real experiences to shape stories we tell.

(Central Library, 23 February: free).

In ‘Literary Fiction – an Intensity of Language’, Helen and I join novelists Gabrielle Kimm and Alison Habens to define the elusive term ‘literary fiction’.

(Central Library, 13 March: £4).

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Have you always wanted to paint and draw?

Maybe you’ve attended art classes in the past, but became disheartened? Or perhaps you've become a ‘lockdown artist? Or you’ve simply never tried to paint or draw before, but would like to begin?

Whatever your background or experience, you will be very welcome at The Omega Art School, (for adults). Taught by professional artists and tutors the school is run along the

same lines of a traditional art school, with carefully planned lessons, short lectures, demonstrations, work sheets and even home assignments.

Tutors include: Kevin Dean, Jacqui Mair, Sadie Tierney and Chris Wood.

The summer term begins on 25th April. Please email omegaartschool@gmail.com for the syllabus and booking information.

the Omega art school 2 Omega Street Southsea PO5 4LP 28

NEW BOARDING HOUSES AT RYDE SCHOOL

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et in stunning grounds on the Isle of Wight overlooking the Solent, Ryde School is an independent day and boarding school for

boys and girls from Nursery to Sixth Form. Just a

en-suite) with a few triple rooms in the junior house.

Our aim is to ensure all boarders of all ages optimise study and leisure time whilst enjoying a nurturing ‘home from home’ experience.

few minutes from mainland transport links, we can provide a ‘hover nanny service’ for younger pupils who commute daily from Southsea, Portsmouth, and Gosport as well as full, weekly, and flexi boarding options ensuring busy family lives can be easily accommodated.

We recently opened two new, award-winning boarding houses, bringing all our boarding facilites on to the main school site in Ryde. Millfield, a lovingly restored Victorian villa situated within the school grounds for younger boarders and a new purpose-built senior boarding house with stunning sea views, also within the school grounds. Both offer comfortable twin and single rooms (many with

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Do join us for our next open morning on Saturday 5 February and take a tour of the school and our new boarding houses and see what Ryde can offer your child.

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KAREN FORBES SCHOOL OF DANCE COMES TO MILTON

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aren Forbes recently began a dance school in Southsea, alongside her Wimbledon school which she has run successfully for 34 years. The secret to the success of Karen’s Wimbledon school is that the pupils start very young and tend to continue until their late teens.

Many have gone onto prestigious establishments such as Tring Park, Royal Ballet School, Hammond and arts educational. “Currently several of our pupils have secured places with the London Children’s Ballet and will be dancing in 2022’s Ann of Green Gables. The Southsea School, in Milton has quickly become very popular and the children are enjoying the magic, fun and technique.

The Strawberry Tinies in particular, are loving their themes, rhythms and funky moves, which the parents seem to enjoy as much as the children,” said Karen. “We also have a a new Primary Modern class on Thursday afternoons at 4pm,” added Karen. If you would like to book a trial place for your child, please call: 07506946882.

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GRATITUDE IN ACTION

have a confession to make. When I started The Grateful Hearts Club back in 2019, I didn’t really know what I was doing (does anyone really know?). A woman with a tiny seed of an idea, a heart full of love and the knowledge that finding joy in the small moments and being more grateful for them may be the key to a happier life. I had turned all the things I knew about gratitude into a habit, understood the benefits and was committed to sharing this knowledge however I could; gratitude cards evolved into workshops or talks and this has since evolved into coaching.

The first Grateful Art exhibition. Photo by Will

like many of us, lockdown gave me the space to explore and reconnect with my own creativity, combined with the fact that I’ve learnt that giving back is the ultimate expression of gratitude.

I call this project (soon to be a Community Interest Company) ‘gratitude in action’ because it not only enables me to give back but connect people who need to know about gratitude in a creative way. Across last summer I partnered with Motiv8 – a charity committed to creating ‘life chances for young people’ – and created a 10 week art programme which ended in an exhibition at St Margaret’s Church that answered the question ‘What are you grateful for?’ Young people and artists contributed their art, independent brands collaborated, a team of volunteers assembled, and we all worked together to create an event that celebrated what makes our city so great. Over 600 people visited and together we raised just over £2,600, funds that have helped Charla Grant. Photo by: @liberty_inthecity

Needless to say, I’ve continued to fall further down the rabbit hole (taking anyone willing to listen with me) So many hours dedicated to researching, thinking, talking and sharing gratitude. 2021 saw The Grateful Hearts Club evolve again and a new idea take hold. Enter The Grateful Arts Club – a project built on the values of creativity, gratitude, joy, connection and community. It started because

Motiv8 continue to support even more young people.

There was an energy on the day that showed everyone that there is a place for this type of event and seeing young people feeling so included in the community is something I will never forget. So, in February we go again and host our second exhibition titled LOVE IS...

Please join us on 26th February between 10-4pm at St Margaret’s Church, Highland Road and let's all feel the love...together. Find out more @thegratefulartsclub

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STEREOPHONICS HEADLINE FRIDAY NIGHT James, The Wombats, Sugababes, Nothing But Thieves and Sophie Ellis-Bextor join the line-up – many more still to be released

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ulti-award winning Victorious Festival (26/27/28 August 2022) – the UK’s biggest metropolitan festival – has announced it’s first wave of artists for summer.

Headlining Friday night is a band that needs no introduction – Stereophonics. Forged in the crucible of Britpop, The Welsh rockers mark an amazing 30 years together in 2022, so expect a huge celebration and with eleven studio albums under their belts and their highly anticipated twelth – Oochya! – launching in spring, it’ll be a must-see set brimming with stone-cold singalong classics and some brand new material to boot.

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Also appearing on Friday are Mancunian indie legends James. Coming into their fifth decade and rightly renowed as one of the best live bands in the business, James never fail to deliver the goods and are perfect for the opening night of Victorious 2022.

Liverpudlian three-piece The Wombats bring their infectious brand of indie-pop to the party on Saturday while the afternoon belongs to Britwinning, chart-topping RnB/pop royalty Sugababes with an extra-special daytime show. Sunshine? Check. Cocktails? Check.

Dancing shoes? Check. ‘Freak Like Me’ at full volume? Check check check!!

some massive acts confirmed, but there’s so much still to come. 2022 is going to be a vintage year for Victorious. Watch this space!”

Sunday sees performances from acclaimed altrockers Nothing But Theives and the Duchess of Pop herself, award winning nu-disco diva Sophie Ellis-Bextor.

Elsewhere across the weekend the bill is loaded with top-notch talent including experimental pop from Self Esteem, New York indie trio We Are Scientists, singer-songwriter Becky Hill, Sheffield rockers Little Man Tate, Baby Queen, Coach Party, Worry Worry and Sam Ryder.

Speaking about this year’s festival, Andy Marsh, festival director, said: ‘‘We’ve revealed here a little taste of what to expect this year with 35

COULD YOU CARE FOR PORTSMOUTH?

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pply for a job in home care and make a real difference to people’s lives.

Are you kind and caring and good at thinking on your feet? That’s all you need to apply for one of the most fulfilling jobs going, home care – and Portsmouth City Council is on the lookout for new applicants.

that I love. When I feel that I have helped clients or made them comfortable and happy, it’s a lovely reward for all the hard work. It makes coming to work a joy every day and I feel very grateful to be able to do this as my career. I can’t wait to progress further and work my way up as high as I can”.

If you’re not sure whether home care is for you, have a read of the experiences of some of the care workers in our city.

CAROLE, 47 (COMMUNITY CARER, NIGHTINGALES GOLDEN CARE) “Morning calls can be personal care: showering, or just helping that person get up and be there while they do their thing. We do their lunch, cooking, shopping and light domestic duties, and

HARVEY, 25 (SENIOR CARE WORKER, CRESCENT COMMUNITY CARE)

even take them out and about, or if housebound,

“A typical day for me is assisting clients with dayto-day tasks while promoting their own independence as much as possible. This can include personal care, preparing food and drink, and assisting with medication. I sometimes take clients out for walks.

I don’t like to let people down and most of the time

I like that the job isn’t the same every day.

Sometimes it’s more personal care duties, whereas sometimes it’s just ensuring they aren’t lonely and have me to talk to.

it was business as usual for us”.

I feel immense gratitude that I get to work in a job 36

sit and chat or do activities. they are happy to see you, they look forward to your visit. Sometimes you could be the only person they see that whole day.

During lockdown family members were so grateful we continued, as they weren’t allowed to visit and

Visit the council website to find out more and apply for available roles: portsmouth.gov.uk/homecare

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Lasting Powers of Attorney Annabelle C Jones

LLM

Solicitor

LPA Specialist By setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) you can appoint people you trust to make decisions with or for you in case an accident or illness in the future means you are not able to make the choices on your own.

If you would like to know more about creating your LPA, contact Annabelle for a free no obligation discussion.

Annabelle C Jones, Solicitor Email: Annabelle@acjlaw.co.uk Phone: 07591 527713 Website: www.acjlaw.co.uk Annabelle C Jones is a freelance solicitor, authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority

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T

MIMI GREEN’S DELICATESSEN

here’s a new deli in town, Mimi Green’s in Palmerston Road, filled with tempting produce, particularly from Spain, Portugal and Italy, much of which is unavailable in supermarkets. The cold cabinets are particularly interesting, filled with fine cheeses and cold meats. Owner of Mimi Green’s, Kim Shawani takes a lot of pleasure in making customers sandwiches to order.

“Sometimes there’s nothing better than a sandwich. It could be a properly crusty, thickly sliced loaf, filled with simple cheese and chutney; a bagel filled with cheese & ham, gherkins, and mustard; or some thin rye bread topped with smoked fish and herbs. I don’t think there is anything as simple and pleasing than a really good sandwich. My salami or Parma Ham and mozzarella open ciabatta is just the thing for a simple, no fuss, full of flavour dinner,” said Kim looking at the ciabatta under the grill. “Don’t tell anyone, but I could eat all four pieces myself”.

Opening times: Monday - Saturday 7am-6pm Sunday 8am-6pm Mimi Green’s Deli 13 Palmerston Road, Southsea PO5 3QQ Tel 023 9275 4111 www.mimigreen.co.uk 39

SAY CHEESE Words: Daniel Nowland

A

t this time of year I did presume I would write all about super healthy plant based cooking, but then I had a change of heart and decided to talk about many people’s favourite comforting indulgence – Cheese!

During these cold & gloomy months, there are few things that hit the spot better than an oozing grilled cheese sandwich and a glass of red wine. Good for the soul if nothing else.

and partly because we have so many incredible cheeses, I didn’t see the need for imports. Our primary cheese supplier is Westcombe Dairy, based in the heart of Somerset. I’ve visited several times, and always come away inspired by their dedication and total obsession with the three main cheeses they produce.

Prior to setting up The Southsea Deli, I was definitely less picky about which cheese I bought, and often it was whatever seemed the best deal in the supermarket. Obviously running a deli has taught me a lot about cheese, and it’s an important part of the deli’s identity.

Since the very beginning, I decided to focus 100% on British cheese. Partly because it’s a great point of difference from supermarkets, 40

At Westcombe they do everything themselves, from managing grazing land and milking the cows, through to making and ageing the cheese in caves. They focus on cheddar, caerphilly and ricotta, all of which are made with their own unpasteurised milk. These guys are purists, and they know that by not pasteurising the milk, you can truly taste the uniqueness of their dairy process from grazing through to the finished cheese.

Westcombe cheddar is a particularly strong

Independent British cheese makers such as Westcombe are unique, and vital to the survival of small responsible agriculture in the UK. I hate the idea that one day all of our countryside could be managed by the multinational corporations such as Muller and Arla, who incidentally make most of the branded cheese you find on supermarket shelves.

tasting cheese with fruity, earthy flavours. It stands up particularly well to full bodied wines and punchy IPA’s. They also produce a smoked version of their cheddar, totally unique and very smoky. My personal favorite is their caerphilly. This cheese is less strong, with a dry crumbly texture and a creamy, almost nutty, flavour. The ricotta is also incredible and I use it widely in savoury tarts, and also as a pasta filling.

I am a huge advocate of buying British cheeses, and here in the South of England we have cheeses to rival the French and Italians, including the incredible soft cheese from the Isle Of Wight Cheese Co, organic buffalo mozzarella from Laverstoke Park Farm, and the incredible rival to Camembert – Tunworth Soft Cheese from Hampshire!

Whether it’s for filling a sandwich, topping a pasta dish, or indulging on a Friday night, give a local cheese a try and discover how delicious supporting a local producer can be.

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THE CARPET CAVERN “Traditional values, Modern materials”

The Carpet Cavern is a new carpet and flooring store run by JDS Carpets ltd.

With 20 years experience in the trade we can help you with all your flooring needs. We have 100s of top branded carpets, vinyls and LVTs to order as well as bargain price roll stock, remnants and rugs!

Supplied and professionally fitted or just supplied and locally delivered, we have something for everyone from budget ranges to the high end Rolls Royce of ranges! Come to see and feel the materials for yourself in store.

Our products are not just good value, they are guaranteed and come with great aftercare too!

The Carpet Cavern 48 Cromwell Road, Southsea PO4 9PN Tel: 07730653809

43

MARKET DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Independent practice since 1996 24hr Emergency Service Surgical theatre on site 34 Elm Grove • Southsea • Hants • PO5 1JG Tel: 02392 861122 • www.grove-vets.co.uk

•

LOVE SOUTHSEA MARKET

Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 March Saturday 19 March Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 April Saturday 16 April 10am-4pm Palmerston Road precinct www.lovesouthseamarkets.co.uk

•

HAMPSHIRE FARMERS MARKET Sunday 20 February Sunday 20 March 10am-2pm Palmerston Road precinct www.hampshirefarmersmarkets.co.uk

44

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PORTSMOUTH CHORAL UNION THE SEVEN LAST WORDS OF CHRIST

BY HAYDN Saturday 2 April 2022 5.30 pm (One hour only) St Mary’s Church, Fratton Road, Portsmouth PO1 5PA Adults £15 COME AND SING WITH US Saturday 14 May 2022 7 pm St Mary’s Church, Alverstoke PO12 2ET Singers: £7.50, Audience £3 Tickets from www.pcuchoir.org

THE GOODS YARD

Reclamation Yard & Designer Showroom Floorboards, Victorian pine doors, radiators, fireplaces, antique furniture

PAINT STRIPPING SERVICE - doors, furniture etc POWDER COATING SERVICE - gates, railings, radiators etc On-site parking GOLDSMITH AVENUE, FRATTON, PORTSMOUTH P04 OBT T: 02392 818703 M: 07503 146108 thegoodsyard

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Aboveboard Floor Sanding Free Quotation Clean reliable service Public liability insurance

07976 551 614 01489 602 650 aboveboardfloorsanding.com aboveboardflooring@live.com

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Albert Road Traders look forward to seeing you in 2022

Timber furniture repairs, restoration and refinishing • Structural repairs • Colour matching service • Furniture making commissions • Ercol and mid-century furniture repairs specialist

•

The Arts Society Portsea Island looks forward to resuming our normal lecture programme, as soon as possible.

In the meantime a programme of Zoom meetings can be accessed by members on our website:

www.pidfas.org.uk

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www.artabelle.eu admin@artabelle.eu Call: Isabelle on 07973 269 673, Mike on 07546 497 945

47

I

t’s difficult to believe that it’ll soon be coming up to 2 years since we opened the shop – and quite frankly, what a couple of years it’s been (for multiple reasons…)

The support has been incredible, and especially in the lead-up to Christmas, when this year we were able to open right up until Christmas Eve, with no surprise restrictions dropped on us as was the case last year!

The year is still young, but there has already been a handful of surprise top sellers for us – the paperback release of Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters and To Paradise, the followup to A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara have both been January hits so far.

Christmas was, as always, ripe with biographies and memoirs, especially so this year since there was so many comedians and actors unable to perform live, instead putting their talents down in words. We’d expect to see many of those trickling through in paperback form over the next six months, so make sure to get your pre-orders in if you missed out over Christmas – I know a lot of them are on my ever-growing ‘to be read’ pile.

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We’re very excited at the prospect of restrictions around the pandemic being softened over the next few months – due to the events of the last 2 years, we have only been able to hold very few of the in-person author events and book clubs that we anticipated – but hopefully this will change soon, and we’ve already got a handful of things pencilled in…

We’ll also be continuing our partnership with the Literacy Hubs (we still have some of our limited edition candles for sale, a donation from each sale going to the Pompey Pirates) and helping them with the setup of their second location.

We’d like to remind anyone who doesn’t know that although we only keep a relatively small selection of books on the shelves in the shop, it’s usually no hassle to order anything that we don’t have in for you – and most books can be with us in a day or two, ready for collection or delivery!

We’ll sign off by just saying thank you to all of our customers, both the ones that have been there from the beginning and the new ones that we meet every day – without your support, we wouldn’t still be here – you’re the best!

Phil & Mel

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Funeral Directors & Memorial Consultants

Your local & Family Owned Funeral Home of Portsmouth & Southsea A Funeral Home, Wholly Owned by South Downs Funeral Service A Family Company 90 Elm Grove, Southsea, Hants PO5 1LN Tel: 023 92 875575 • info@mayfieldsfunerals.co.uk

Direct Funeral Services from £995.00 Tailored & Simple Funeral Services from £1625.00 www.mayfieldsfunerals.co.uk Under the personal care of Mr Rowan Maxwell, Miss Lucy Thomason and Mrs Lisa Legg • Golden Charter Funeral Plans • 24 hour local, personal care and support • Floristry Service • Stonemasonry Service • Fully accredited and regulated members of SAIF • No deposit or credit checks required